Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-25
HAWTHORN'S POOL,
Water That Rushes Up Hill and a
Dangerous Uundercurrent.


From the Athens Ca Banner Wdtchnaan.
In yesterdays Banner w atchman an
account is given of the drowning Of Rev.
Mr.. Hawthorn at rallulah Falls July 5,
1887. 1t is stated that from some cause
unknown he sank to rise no more. Think
ing probably might throw some light on
what has been regarded the somewhat
mysterious disappearance of this gentle
man, will give you the benefit of scrap
of my observations at "HawthOrn's POOP
while on a visit to Tal!ulah many years
ago. The reading public can take it for
what it is worth.
A party Of young men, including the
writer of this, were bathing in this same
pool, when one of our party, more ven-
tuIesome than the rest, swan across to
explore the rocks and crevices on the
opposite side. On his return trip, in the
place of taking the same route by when
he had gone, hugging the opposite shore
and crossing above the middle OF the
pool, he took "nigh cut" winch threw
MIN in dangerous proximity to the bound
ing waters below. He was good swim
mer. and like most of that class too self
confident. He made the plunge which
came nigh being the final enc for
him. | was anxiously watching him
through an opera glass. when all at once
/ saw him engage in a desperate struggle
with the swiftly flowing stream. His
features we're distorted and the muscles
of his lace were working. He seemed to
be contending with some huge monster
that was seeking to drag him beneath the
surface OF the waters. This fact was
communicated to the boys and we formed
a chain by linking hands from the shallow
water TIL he was reached, and just in
time to be drawn from a watery grave.
This is written from notes taken at the
time, and | will let him relate his own
experience. After resting a short while,
he said:
Boys, l undertook a foolhardy expe-
dition. Had | been alone. like poor Haw-
thorn, should have certainly joined him
In the great sea OF eternity. His awful
fate ne longer remains mystery to me.
There is an undercurrent in that water
the strength of which can be felt but not
described. Standing upon that rock over
yonder the waters do not seem so dam
gerOus as they now appear, and for some
unaccOuntable reason seem to in
vlte you to plunge into their liquid
depths. The water next to the rock
flows up stream and | found no difficulty
until | had reached about the middle,
when in an instant felt mvselt drawn
or sucked downward ty an almost ire
slstble force. From a horizontal posi-
tion / was soon in an upright attitude,
struggling to keep my head above the
surface. was about to succumb to the
monsters grip when Ed gave me his
hand"
TO those OF your readers who expect TO
tackle the inviting and yet most deceptive
wa ers OF HawthorD's pool, have this to
say: Keep out of them. for II is the liquid
gateway TO certain death. Poor Haw-
tbOrn's watch was found suspended on a
hickory limb. Ours had been there, too,
but they were soon in our vest pockets,
ana the owners thereof were not long in
reaching the -'Deyips Pulpit" where.
with carbohydrates, we v ere prepared 10
sing t'H6w firm a foundation, ye saints OF
the Lord
A brief description Of toe above named
pool may Unacceptable 10 those who have
never visited ,fal luah.and will give them
retter understanding Of tine scene have
tried to relate. ~
1t covers, SCRAPS, an acre OF surface.
1t receives It's etIpDiy Of water from a
succession OF fails nbove, about go yards
in BREADTH Hens a little as 1t flows for
few yards, when It seems TO turn and
look back at the ripping. dancing, bound
ing stream ~ 10 comes on 10 take its
pace.
II turns and starts in Its march TO the sea.
Increasing IN speed ever foot OF the way;
M rover, narrower, 10 bee )mes as 1t goes,
asst r., faster 1t glades as II flows.
X less, ros'lces beyond degree,
l. makes Dol dash for berry,
III you knew the wriJer you would readily see
That this /, not intended for poetry
The water is crowded into a narrow
stream ten feet in width and disappears
over creVce in the everlasting granite
boulders, formed like the contracted
mouth OF pitcher with piece broken
out OF IL, and punges in maddenlng roar
down, down % feet below.